Finding the right response when someone tells you to “smile more” can be as tricky as navigating a social minefield.
It’s a comment that seems simple on the surface but can pack a punch of presumption.
Why should you smile on command?
We’ve compiled a list of 28 perfect comebacks that range from the sweetly sarcastic to the outright humorous, designed to address this unsolicited advice head-on.
These replies are your secret weapon, empowering you to handle such comments with poise, wit, or just the right touch of sass.
#1 – “And you should speak less.”
- A quick, sharp retort that flips the script, suggesting that unsolicited advice isn’t always welcome.
#2 – “I’m saving my smiles for something truly smile-worthy.”
- Implies that your smiles are valuable and reserved for moments that genuinely bring you joy.
#3 – “I smile on the inside.”
- A witty way to say that just because they don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
#4 – “My face, my rules.”
- Asserts your autonomy over your own expressions in a straightforward manner.
#5 – “Why? Did you do something funny?”
- Challenges the commenter to justify their request by providing a reason to smile.
#6 – “I’ll smile more when you say less.”
- Another snappy comeback that connects their speaking to your smiling.
#7 – “Smiles are like currency; I don’t spend them without good reason.”
- Likens your smiles to something of value that shouldn’t be wasted without cause.
#8 – “I am smiling. This is just my resting happy face.”
- A playful response that suggests your smile might not look like what others expect.
#9 – “Oh, I left my smile in my other pants.”
- Uses humor to deflect the comment by pretending to have forgotten your smile.
#10 – “But then I wouldn’t be mysterious anymore.”
- Implies that not smiling all the time adds to your mystique.
#11 – “I’ll take that under advisement.”
- A formal, non-committal response that humorously treats their comment as an official recommendation.
#12 – “My smile machine is broken today.”
- A light-hearted way to say that you’re not in the mood to smile without getting too personal.
#13 – “I’m practicing my serious look today. How am I doing?”
- Turns the moment into a joke about trying to look more serious on purpose.
#14 – “Every time someone tells me to smile, I do the opposite out of spite.”
- Suggests that their comment is counterproductive, encouraging you to do the exact opposite.
#15 – “I don’t want to devalue the brand by overdoing it.”
- Treats your smile as a premium brand that loses value if overused.
#16 – “Give me a smile, and maybe I’ll return the favor.”
- Puts the onus back on the commenter to provide a smile first.
#17 – “I’m conserving energy, smiles included.”
- A humorous way to say you’re saving up your energy, even when it comes to smiling.
#18 – “I was told my smile can cause sunburns; I’m just looking out for you.”
- A cheeky way to compliment yourself while pretending to protect them.
#19 – “Smiles are like secrets. I don’t give them away freely.”
- Suggests that your smiles are precious and not to be shared with just anyone.
#20 – “I’ll start working on that right after I finish perfecting my poker face.”
- Jokes about having other facial expressions to master before you can work on smiling more.
#21 – “But this is my ‘thinking deeply’ face. It’s very important.”
- Pretends that not smiling is part of an essential process of deep thought.
#22 – “I heard it causes wrinkles, and I’m all about that skincare.”
- A playful excuse that cites concern for skincare as the reason for not smiling more.
#23 – “I’m not sure the world is ready for my dazzling smile yet.”
- A lighthearted way to boast about your smile’s power humorously.
#24 – “I’m waiting for something that’s worth the effort.”
- Implies that you choose to smile for things that truly matter to you.
#25 – “A smile? Let me check my schedule.”
- Pretends to treat smiling as an appointment that needs to be booked.
#26 – “I like to keep people guessing about what I’m really thinking.”
- Suggests that not smiling adds an element of mystery to your persona.
#27 – “But then you’d miss seeing my other fabulous expressions.”
- Highlights that you have a range of expressions, each as worthy of display as a smile.
#28 – “Smiling is so mainstream. I prefer to stand out.”
- A tongue-in-cheek response that frames not smiling as a unique, non-conformist choice.